REFLECTIVE COLLIMATION OPTIC

• US 20070096026A1
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Remillard, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,420,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/353
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0023 at least one surface having optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0052 the light source comprising a laser diode coupling into light guides using intermediate optical elements G02B6/4204; semiconductor lasers having optical devices external to the laser cavity H01S5/005
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0057 in the form of a laser diode array, e.g. laser diode bar semiconductor laser arrays with beam combining arrangement H01S5/4012
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/009 for use with infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/09 Multifaceted or polygonal mirrors , e.g. polygonal scanning mirrors; Fresnel mirrors

Abstract

An optical system includes a light source 102 disposed for generating light preferably in a line. An optical element 104 includes a stepped reflecting surface 106 that includes reflecting surfaces 132 and step surfaces 130. The reflecting surfaces 132 have a metalized coating thereon so that the plurality of metalized reflecting surfaces reflect light therefrom. Each reflecting surface is a circular sector that increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector.

Claims

1. An optical structure comprising:

a monolithic structure comprising a stepped surface, said stepped surface having a plurality of reflecting surfaces and step surfaces, said reflecting surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that only the plurality of metalized facets reflect light from a light source, wherein each reflecting surface is a circular sector, wherein each circular sector increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector.

2. An optical structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the light reflecting from the plurality of reflecting surfaces is collimated.

3. An optical structure as recited in claim 1 wherein the monolithic structure comprises a stepped rear surface to maintain a generally constant thickness.

4. An optical system comprising:

a light source disposed in a line and generating light; and

an optical element comprising a stepped surface, said stepped surface having a plurality of reflecting surfaces and step surfaces, said reflecting surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that the plurality of reflecting surfaces reflect light, wherein each reflecting surface is a circular sector, wherein the plurality of reflecting surfaces increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector.

5. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the light reflecting from the plurality of reflecting surfaces is collimated.

6. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the light reflecting from the plurality of reflecting surfaces is collimated in a direction parallel to the line.

7. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a laser diode.

8. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a linear laser diode array.

9. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the light source comprises an infrared light source.

10. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein said optical element comprises a monolithic structure.

11. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the light source comprises a fast axis, said optical element circumscribing an arc greater than the fast axis.

12. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the monolithic structure comprises a stepped rear surface to maintain a generally constant.

13. An optical system as recited in claim 4 wherein the radius increases as the distance to the light source increases.

14. A night vision system comprising

an infrared light source;

an optical element comprising a stepped surface, said stepped surface having a plurality of reflecting surfaces and step surfaces, said reflecting surfaces having a metalized coating thereon so that the plurality of reflecting surfaces reflect light, wherein the plurality of reflecting surfaces is a circular sector, wherein each circular sector increases in radius from an adjacent circular sector;

a camera receiving infrared light reflected from an object illuminated by the infrared light source, said camera generating an output signal; and

a display receiving the output signal and displaying the object.

15. A night vision system as recited in claim 14 wherein the light source comprises a laser diode.

16. A night vision system as recited in claim 14 wherein the light source comprises a laser diode array.

17. A night vision system as recited in claim 14 further comprising a diffuser.

18. A night vision system as recited in claim 14 further comprising a filter filtering the light reflected from the object.

19. A night vision system as recited in claim 14 wherein said optical element comprises a monolithic structure.

20. A night vision system as recited in claim 14 wherein the monolithic structure comprises a stepped rear surface to maintain a maximum thickness.